September 2020 Presidents' Message

Does it seem possible that we are entering our sixth month of the COVID-19 pandemic?  Some days fly by, and others drag, as we try to get used to the new normal.  Despite all that is going on around us, I hope you are all well and making the most of the time you have to do new and exciting things. I have cooked a lot, learned to bake bread, and have read more books in the last six months than I did in the last year!

It is now September, a time we usually attribute to back-to-school.  Even that is not business as usual.  My prayers are with the school staff, teachers, administrators and students as they try to navigate the return to school.  Whether it is in-person, virtual or hybrid, I hope everyone has a great year.

We had a great Board meeting last Saturday at my house.  We wore masks (at least initially!) and social distanced.  There were six there in person and another six attended by Zoom.  I cannot thank Margaret enough for hosting that Zoom event.  It went well enough that we have determined we can do hybrid meetings for our regularly scheduled monthly meetings.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend the meetings in person, you will be able to join us by Zoom, again, thanks to Marvelous Margaret!

The meeting will be on Tuesday September 8 at 6:30 at the Byron Welcome Center on Chapman Road in Byron, parallel to I-75, next to Sutton Chevrolet.  We will wear masks and social distance, and no refreshments will be served.

Program Vice President Wilhemina has lined up a diverse and interesting calendar of speakers for us.  Our speakers may join us in person or by Zoom, but they will all bring us important information.

I look forward to seeing you in person or virtually on September 8. Stay safe and healthy.  I love and miss you all.

Marlene

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Reading Is Fundamental Update
by Carrie Smith

Due to the Covid virus, we will be unable to do Reading Is Fundamental in one of the local elementary schools this year.  We will still purchase books to give to Cherished Children Daycare Centers for the 3 and 4 year olds.  

We are still welcoming donations to support this project.  Hope we all can encourage donations. 

Be on the lookout for distribution dates for Cherished Children!

       

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Houston-Peach in State Leadership

If you look on the AAUW Georgia website, the first thing you will notice is that five of the nine members on the 2020-2021 Executive Board are from the Houston-Peach Branch! Carrie Smith and Laurie Shaw are Co-Presidents, Sharon Dawson is Treasurer, Marlene Humphry is AAUW Funds Chair and Evelyn Merk is Bylaws Chair.  Is that a record? Don't know, but it certainly speaks to the quality of leadership in our branch. These folks all deserve our congratulations and support.